It’s cold and flu season, and it has hit my household. I blame Chuck E. Cheese and the weather. During the winter months, it’s really hard for the kids to get outside and play, not to mention burn off some energy. Cohen has been asking to go someplace fun for kids. So, I bundled up my kids and off we went to Chuck E. Cheese. Despite the ample amount of hand sanitizer, both kids had runny noses and horrible coughs a couple days later.
A Cold Creeps Into the Weekend
Hoping the cold and cough medicine would suffice, I sent both kids off to preschool and daycare. Both my husband and I work outside of the home and don’t have ample amount of vacation time. Luckily, they made it through the week without being sent home. However, the weekend hit them hard.
More snot, seemingly coughing up their lungs — all contributing to a pair of cranky kids. Cohen even visited an urgent care clinic, contracted an ear infection yet still no temperature. During that weekend, Collyns spent most of her days lying on the couch because she spent most of her nights coughing.
When the Cold Simply Won’t Let Up
However, come Monday morning both kids were back at preschool and daycare — still coughing, but somewhat back to their normal selves. The cough never seems to go away! As a parent, I would love to stay home and cuddle them, but I need to be at work. For the last couple weeks, I anxiously awaited a phone call from preschool or daycare saying “I don’t want them to infect other kids.” But at what point does a cold get a kid sent home?
Despite not having temperatures and being on antibiotics, do I keep them home? The answer I have found so far this year is no. They have been at daycare and preschool even though they have colds. I think a parent with children who have colds is stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don’t want my kids to go to school or daycare with other sick kids, but I haven’t had my kids stay home either. As a parent, you have to go with your gut. Vacation days should not play a part, but I understand when they do.
Fast-forward a couple days later, now both parents are feeling ill. But as the DayQuil commercial states: Parents don’t take sick days! I’m just ready for cold and flu season to be over. Here’s to no more sick kids!
Not Feeling Well?
Bryan Health understands your life as a parent is busy, and when a cold or flu strikes, life doesn’t stop. That’s why there’s Bryan Health eVisit! It’s a 24/7 online diagnosis and treatment tool that’s convenient and affordable. Talk to a board certified Nebraska doctor from your computer, tablet, or mobile phone today to start feeling better!
Mallory Connelly
Babies & Toddlers
In addition to the time I devote to being a mom, I also work full-time outside the home, which means my day is hardly ever as simple as nine to five. With an all-too-established schedule, as soon as I walk through the door, my day doesn’t end, but rather just begins. It’s a balancing act, especially with two children, but being a mom is one full-time job that I never want to quit!
